Since ages-old, the fire has been both a friend and a foe to mankind. Although there is no doubt that it helped drive us into the modern age, fire is often the cause of many disasters. If you are a gun owner, then the last thing you want is for your firearms to get close to a burning fire.
But how do you protect your weapons if a fire suddenly breaks out in your apartment or your home office? Will you have enough time to run and grab your weapons before you save yourself? Well, even if you have the time, you really should worry about your own safety before that of your firearm.
And if you have your weapon stored in the best fireproof gun safe, then there really is nothing to worry about. With this thoughtful investment, you will be able to protect your firearms without having to put yourself at risk.
But while investing in this unit, there are a lot of different elements that you need to consider. So without further ado, jump in with us into this thorough guide on a fireproof gun safe that will help you understand this tool entirely.
Image | Name | Editor's Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | SentrySafe SFW123DSB Fireproof Safe | 5 out of 5 | |
 | Stack-On SS-22-MB-E Gun Safe | 5 out of 5 | |
| First Alert 2096DF Waterproof & Fire Safe | 4.5 out of 5 | |
| Honeywell 6108 Fire Resistant Safe Box | 4 out of 5 | |
| SentrySafe CHW20221 Fireproof Box | 4.5 out of 5 |
Top 5 Best Fireproof Gun Safe Reviews
Buying a proper safe that ticks all the boxes for protecting your weapon can be quite difficult for inexperienced people. There are so many different elements that you have to consider, which can get confusing. If you do not want to end up with a mediocre unit, you need to understand which models are worth buying.
To that end, here are our recommendations for the best fireproof gun safes in the market that you can invest in without a second thought.
1. SentrySafe SFW123DSB Fireproof Safe and Waterproof Safe
We will be starting off our list of reviews with one of the best products by a leading gun safe brand in the market, SentrySafe. If you are not one for compromises, this fire and waterproof safe is the one you want for full protection of your firearms.
It comes with a handy combination dial system for its primary means of access. You can set up a combination code of your choosing and use it to gain entry to your valuables and weapons. As a backup entry-method, you also get a set of keys to open up the gun safe manually.
Furthermore, the top-notch construction quality of the unit proves impenetrable against any attempts at breaking in. it comes with a high-quality steel housing complete with fortified anti-pry hinge bars. Additionally, the 1-inch locking bolt on the inside of the door further enhances its sturdy nature.
The unit also comes with a decent storage space allowing you to store a couple of handguns and small items inside easily. It features a fireproof rating of 1700 degrees Fahrenheit for up to an hour, along with full water submersion support for up to 8 inches. As an added cherry on top, it is also capable of surviving up to 15 feet drop.
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2. Stack-On SS-22-MB-E SS22 Gun Safe
Next up on our list, we have a large gun safe for people with a lot of firearms in their collection. Stack-On is the brand you go with if you have a couple of long guns and rifles to store. The SS22, in particular, offers excellent levels of protection along with great organization options on the inside, making it a prime choice for anyone.
This unit, in addition to manual keys, comes with a full-fledged electronic keypad as its primary access method. Although you require batteries for the electronics to work, the uptime is quite good if you are using decent batteries. In addition, it comes with three LED indicators, one of which warns you in case of low batteries.
The unit features strong and tough construction along with robust steel deadbolts and concealed hinges. This means that you will not have to worry about anyone finding any pry-points with the gun safe. It even comes with six 1-inch steel locking points that further dissuades any break-in attempts.
Another great addition to this safe is the fully carpeted interior space. Thanks to this thoughtful inclusion, your guns will not suffer any cosmetic damages like scratches. It comes with four shelves, three of which you can even remove if you want more space out of the interior.
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3. First Alert 2096DF Waterproof Fire Safe with Digital Lock
The First Alert 2096DF is one of those units that people often overlook at first glance. But the quality and performance that you get with this unit in terms of fire and water resistance are unparalleled in the market. It is a fine choice for people who take the issue of security seriously.
It is one of the few gun safes in the market at this price range that requires you to simultaneously use your keys and an access code to open it. The digital keypad that comes with it feels responsive and allows you to set a code anywhere between three to eight digits that you can use to open it.
The unit also comes with an automatic lockdown feature that comes in effect when someone tries to input the wrong code multiple times. At that point, the safe shut down completely and will not open until you reactivate it. It is an excellent security feature that you do not find in many gun safes.
The fire resistance of the unit is also top-notch, boasting a fire rating of around 1700 degrees for one hour. It can also accommodate full submersion in the water and comes with pry-resistant door hinges to protect it against any forced entry. The interior of the unit also comes with enough space to store your small handguns and valuables.
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4. Honeywell Safes & Door Locks - 6108 Fire Resistant Steel Security Safe Box
For the next product, we will be looking at a unit by the brand Honeywell Safes & Door Locks. It is the perfect little unit for people who do not want to make a fuss about interior space. However, when it comes to security, you will not find this unit lacking in any way.
In terms of locking mechanism, it comes with a small six-digit electronic keypad, which is quite interesting for such a portable unit. Although the electronic feature does require batteries, you will find the battery life in the unit quite significant. In addition, you get a set of keys to open the safe manually if you need it.
The construction quality of the gun safe is another element that you will find amazing. It features a strong and sturdy steel housing along with a corrosion-resistant powder-coated finish. This combination both serves well against damages and looks stylish when set up at a table or a corner of your car.
With portable gun safes, fire-resistance is not something that you often find. However, this model can survive high temperatures without letting the heat get to your firearms for at least 20 mins. In addition, the fully padded interior design ensures your weapons and other valuables are kept safe without fear of scratches.
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5. SentrySafe CHW20221 Fireproof Box and Waterproof Box
Rounding up our list, we have another exquisite SentrySafe gun safe for your consideration. While the previous unit by the brand that we featured comes with ample storage space, this unit is for those who want a portable gun safe for just a handgun and other important items like documents or cash.
One of the features that some might like while others may not, is the lack of any electronics. This is a fully analog gun safe that you open with a set of tubular keys included with your purchase. As a result, you do not need to worry about having to replace the batteries every few months with this model.
However, the lack of electronics does not necessarily mean that breaking into the safe is easy. It comes with a strong and sturdy steel housing along with concealed edges to ensure a fully tamper-free experience. In addition, the interior of the unit comes with organizing straps to help you tether your documents on the inside.
The fire-rating of the unit for its size is quite surprising. It can handle 1550 degrees Fahrenheit of high temperatures for at least 30 mins which is a lot when you consider the size and price of the unit. In addition, it is also waterproof and can be fully submerged for up to 72 hours without damaging the internal compartment.
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Things to Consider When Buying the Best Fireproof Gun Safe
Now that you know about our picks for the best fireproof gun safe, we can jump into another section that will enhance your buying experience. As we have mentioned before, investing in a fireproof gun safe is not easy. If you are a beginner, it is easy to get lost in the flurry of specs and technological terms that you will find when browsing for this device.
Although most of the spec listings you find are marketing strategies, there are some aspects that tell you about the quality and performance you can get out of the product even before you have a chance to try it out yourself. For the best shopping experience, you need to learn to identify these elements.
This is where we come in. In the next section of the article, we will guide you through the elements that are critical to the performance of the best fireproof gun safe so that you, as a buyer, can get the most bang for your buck.
Fire Rating
Since you are looking for a fire-resistant gun safe, the first section that you want to focus on is obviously the fire rating of the unit. But before you do that, you need to understand that a fireproof gun safe is a loosely used term. If you leave this unit burning in a blaze indefinitely, eventually, the heat and fire will get in.
Fire rating is the term that lets you know how long the gun safe can survive in high temperatures. It also informs you of its temperature tolerance or how high of a temperature it can handle. For example, the fire rating of a gun safe might be 1550 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 1 hour.
The fire rating of different gun safes can vary wildly. Smaller models might not feature as much fire rating as some of the bigger models. However, they give you the benefit of portability, which means if a fire does break out, you can take the gun safe with you while running out.
Security System
With any gun safe, the locking system holds great importance. Although the pressure on the locking mechanism is not that high when it comes to a fireproof gun safe, it is still important enough to warrant some caution when you are planning to invest your hard-earned money.
With fireproof units, the common locking systems you will find are either the digital keypad or analog keyed locks. Biometric security is not that common as the scanner can get damaged quite easily if the gun safe is subjected to high temperatures.
Regardless of whether you go with a digital or analog locking system, make sure the quality of the lock is excellent. If the gun safe comes with a digital keypad, it should feel responsive and allow you to set up a respectable number of access codes. For mechanical units, the quality of the key and lock should be perfect.
Material Thickness
The thickness of the wall and material used in the construction of the gun safe also dictates its overall defensive capabilities against fire. As a rule of thumb, the thicker the steel, the greater the resistance against fire and high temperatures. So it is essential you get a gun safe with thick housing.
The thickness of a gun safe is usually represented by the gauge of steel used in its construction. It can go from 5-gauge steel for portable units all the way up to even 18-gauge thickness. But when you want protection against fire, you want at least a thickness of 8 gauges.
Any lower than that, you risk letting the heat get inside the gun safe and messing up your weapons and other belongings. One of the amateur mistakes when choosing a fireproof gun safe is not considering the thickness of the materials, and you, as a smart buyer, should avoid making this mistake.
Construction Quality
The overall construction quality of the gun safe is also important, along with the thickness of the materials. These days, many construction techniques are used to further solidify the security you get out of a gun safe. This is an important element to consider in any gun safe, whether it is fireproof or otherwise.
Design improvements such as concealed joints or automatic deadbolts are always worth investing in as it would ensure complete security for your belongings. Another important construction feature to consider is concealed hinges that improve prying and impact defenses of the gun safe.
Interior Options
The interior of a fireproof gun safe might not be the most crucial element for some people. People who want excellent security for a select few weapons and sensitive documents might not require large interior space in their gun safe. If you are one of them, you can safely skip this factor.
However, if you are a collector of firearms, you might benefit from a larger gun vault with excellent interior compartments. Some of the larger gun safes even come with organizing features such as adjustable and removable shelves, adjustable and rounded barrel rests, etc.
The interior space requirements vary from one person to another. So before you consider buying a specific gun safe, take a step back and think about your storage requirements. Larger gun safes, although they bring the benefit of excellent storage, are not very portable.
Smaller gun safes, on the other hand, are extremely handy if you want excellent security on the go. You can even take these gun safes with you while you are taking a drive in your car or traveling on an airplane. People with minimalistic storage needs might benefit more from a smaller gun safe.
Testing Method
The testing method used to verify the fire resistance of a gun safe helps you understand its validity. Since fire resistance is not something that you can test yourself without lighting the apartment on fire, it can be hard to distinguish between marketing fluff and realistic performance of a specific product.
However, reputed brands often send their products for third-party testing to help verify their fire-resistant nature. If you have confusion about a certain product, be sure to check how it was tested and the results of its performance. In many cases, it is just as important as the fire rating of the gun safe.
Brand Value
Sticking to reputed brands is generally a good idea when it comes to buying a fireproof gun safe. Brands that have been in the business for a while and leading in the industry are here because of their dedication to the consumer. Going with an off-brand shady unit might not give you the best results.
Furthermore, reputed brands also have better customer support in most cases. This means if you somehow end up with a faulty unit, the company will help you get it replaced or find a fix for your product. And with a gun safe, it is always nice to know that the manufacturers have got your back if something goes wrong.
Water Resistance
The great thing about getting a fireproof gun safe is that you sometimes can get water resistance as a bonus. Although not all gun safes come with built-in water resistance features, there are enough units out there that you should strongly consider investing in one that comes with it.
If you take a look at our featured products, you will find that almost all of them have some amount of water resistance. It usually does not even cost anything extra. People who are looking for absolute protection should consider getting a fireproof gun safe that comes with decent water resistance on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a fireproof gun safe keep ammunition safe if a fire breaks out?
Yes, as long as the gun safe is within its recommended fire rating, the ammunition inside the safe should be safe. However, plastic shells are more susceptible to fire and they might melt if the heat gets too high.
Is it difficult to install a fireproof gun safe?
Installing a fireproof gun safe is not any different from installing any other gun safes. All you have to do is pick out a spot and use the included mounting accessories to install it. You might require some drilling depending on the design and requirements of the safe.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing wrong with getting help while you are out choosing your best fireproof gun safe. With our handy article, you should have all the information you need to make a smart investment.
We hope you found our thorough guideline on the product helpful and informative.
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